Applied Anthropology and Community Development/Community Arts

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in the social sciences or another appropriate subject, with some experience in community development or community arts
• at least four months of full-time, or part-time equivalent, work experience prior to starting the MA. We also offer the MA in Applied Anthropology & Community and Youth Work (professionally validated by the National Youth Agency) for applicants with more work experience. Experience can include paid or unpaid work; voluntary, community and youth work in organisations; and relevant informal work.
• an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the DBS. Please note there will be a fee of £56 for all DBS applications; we will send you further information about payment with your offer. You can find more information about this on our fitness to train pages

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This is a pathway of the MA Applied Anthropology & Community and Youth Work, aimed at applicants who may not need a National Youth Agency qualification in youth work (JNC) and those who want to become specialists in community development or community arts.

Why study MA Applied Anthropology & Community Development/Community Arts

• This unique MA combines academic and practice learning with high-level professional qualifications. It is aimed at students who wish to pursue a career in community development or community arts and associated sectors and those who want an MA with additional professional qualifications to enable more senior career progression

• Taught jointly by the Departments of Anthropology, and Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS), this fieldwork pathway reflects the common concerns of both disciplines with a particular focus on community development and community arts

• Established in 1992, the youth work pathway was the first of three fieldwork pathway options, with an additional pathway in Community Development  launched in 2012 and a Community Arts pathway launched in 2015. Community Development and Community Arts are now merged at the point of programme entry but continue to allow for fieldwork specialism in each distinct area

• The Community Development / Community Arts pathway caters for international or home students who want to specialise in community development or for those with an arts background and arts interests, who wish to work in community arts

• You will join a diverse cohort of students with a variety of practice experiences and interests. Whether you wish to specialise in community development or community arts, you will be taught alongside fellow students with interests in both disciplines, providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and as well as interaction with an extensive range of organisations and practitioners

• You will undertake fieldwork, which is focused on national occupational standards in community development and may take place in either community development settings or community arts settings depending on your specialisation

• The programme is structured to give you autonomy over the accredited placement organisations that you work with. You will be able to arrange placements with organisations that best facilitate the form of practice that you wish to explore

Information for international students

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees and funding

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.